Reports in Germany apparently are that Leipzig will only sell for 100m+ euros + a one year loan back. I'm not sure that works for us for a wing player. One thing to do that with Bouaddi, when we've got quite a few players in midfield. But we need an attacker who can play next season. Re: other prospects, Barcola will cost around what Rogers went for, Doue likely isn't available at any price, and Vini is one of those situations where he only leaves if Real forces him out - I question the fit.
Just listening to Tim and Clive talk about Jon Stones. In the context of a prolonged outage for Saliba. Tim makes the case based on our need to replace William’s excellent DLP skills. Clive seemed a little more circumspect because of his lack of speed, fitness, etc. I said something like “no thanks” above, but I guess I could reconsider. But if we do sign Stones, I would hope we get him on the cheap and with a very short contract. But my gut still says pass.
Thought he had a phenomenal WC. Hate to base impression solely on that but it did open eyes. If WhoScored is accurate, he had 21 of his 36 starts on the right which looks pretty balanced. However, 17 of his 22 G/A came from the right. While he has good match ratings from the left, he doesn't have much production. So, what does that mean when we ask him to play on the left all of the time? Hard to say given such a small sample size (1 full season starting in Europe). Nico Williams doesn't have the recent stats but he could make more sense given our prior interest, the rumored 77m release clause and a similar skillset that is more LW centric. His release would atleast represent value in the current market.
The way I look at it, Mos is the starter while Saliba is out. Think he deserves the chance. Whoever we sign is for short term backup/rotation. Stones fits the bill. He has EPL experience, is a good passer, knows the system, is a FA and wouldn't be expected to start regularly. Offer him a 1yr, 1+1 or 2yr deal.
That would 100% be reason to walk away. 100m + a loan back for 1yr of production is insane. 80m + a loan back is a bit crazy for Bouaddi in my mind but atleast he has 2+ yrs of tape to show he could be worth it.
Yes Mosquera is the obvious fill-in for Saliba. But, as Tim & Clive mentioned, he's young and still needs to develop the DLP skills that Saliba has already in spades. Which is why Stones came up. Didn't know he was out of contract, so that seems to solve the cheapness issue, and probably, as you suggest a 1- or 1-plus-1- year contract. I'm starting to warm to the idea. But sill a bit luke. But I can probably get over that lukeness when I frame it as a short-term emergency fill.
Maybe I'm in the minority on this but I see nothing wrong with Mosquera filling in. Isn't this what we got him for? Also, the experience. Its the first half of the season. We play great team defense. Are we really that vulnerable with him? Especially with big Gabi with him? Why spend the money? I think Mos did enough last season to warrant getting the responsibility.
I think it would be wise if i we can get Stones for not a ton. Either to start or rotate. We are gonna play a lot of games and we will need to rotate. And chances are benny blanco gets injured again and who knows if timber is good to go etc. Anywas, more smoke to Bruno G happening for close to 100mill
I like the idea of adding Stones on a 1 or 1+1 deal and then adding a good RB. That would give us depth at CB (Saliba, Mos, Stones & White) as well as RB (Timber, New RB, White)
I like Stones because he'd be free. We don't really need a CB. Almost every one of our current FBs can play there in a pinch, and Mosquera would be a starter for most top Premier League teams. Calafiori excels there too.
🚨 @alex_crook: “I was told by a reliable source this morning that Arsenal’s deal for Bruno Guimarães is expected to go through. It might cost in the region of £75m-£80m.” 🕵️♂️🇧🇷 [@talkSPORT] pic.twitter.com/2IpXt4WSbE— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 21, 2026
Think Arteta thinks we need one and given the injury histories of Cala, White & Timber, it may not be a bad idea. I'd personally rather go the Stones route because it costs us no fee and allows us time to reassess post Saliba recovery. If you go Stones + a new RB this window, that leaves you with..... LB - Cala, Hincapie, Timber LCB - Gabi, Cala, Hincapie, Stones RCB - Saliba, Mos, Stones, White RB - Timber, New RB, White, Stones 9 players for 4 spots is a bit much but again given the injuries..... Then if we can keep Cala & Timber healthy (and technically everyone else) we can move White & possibly Stones (don't pickup his option) next summer leaving us with..... LB - Cala, Hincapie, LCB - Gabi, Cala RCB - Saliba, Mos RB - Timber, New RB Ultimately adding Stones becomes a low cost solution to our current depth issues and if the injuries persist we can adjust next summer by bringing in some new options.
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson attracting overseas interest with Benfica and Valencia among clubs keen. Nelson open to leaving England. https://t.co/PKu2sd9MI2— Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel_BBC) July 21, 2026
I also don't want us to hinder Salmon's (or Mosquera's) development as Arteta seems to rate both of them already. If we sign Stones on a free transfer and he's on reasonable wages, then I think that bodes well for giving them both youngsters some minutes to rest Saliba with Stones as capable fill-in should we need to rotate or cover injuries.
Good point. Also, remember that Hincapie can play CB as well. With that said, I don't see why we would pass on Stones on a short-term deal. It can't hurt. We need a RB, but I have a feeling Arsenal fans are about to be disappointed this summer. I'm not too worried though. We already got the best signings of the summer: a new medical/ training staff.
Garnacho was a late stage EPL circular financing deal where the selling party advanced the counterparty the funds to buy Garnacho at an inflated price - allowing both parties to record inflated sale prices while structuring their own obligations far into the future.
seeing rumors (not anyone reputable) that we have agreed a deal with atleti for alvarez for gyok +50. But that he doesn't want us.
Man oh man is this signing gonna induce some nose-holding and cognitive dissonance. I’m starting to prepare myself.
Id still rather a younger option but atleast with Bruno there is a very high probability that we can avoid running Rice & Zubi into the ground with little to no drop off.
We get Bruno G, Yan and a decent striker like Kofane and we are good bare minimum We should repeat. We get Alvarez and I'm thinking CL final at a minimum.
I think Bruno is the biggest impact player we could sign. He would have a greater impact than Rogers would. A rotation of Rice, Bruno, and Zubimendi would as good as any double pivot rotation in the world. He can be rash, but Big Gabi was rash. Xhaka was rash. Wining and Arteta seem to have a way of settling players down. if we only get two or three good years from Bruno, Myles will just be coming into his prime.
Rumors that Chel$ki are now pursuing Bruno. Could be just a ruse to get us to pay a higher fee, or could be legit knowing how BlueCo operates